In a functional MRI study of 23 Japanese adults, average age 21 years, features of Taijin-kyofusho, a type of social anxiety characterized by a fear of making others uncomfortable, were associated with enhanced affective empathy and reduced cognitive empathy, as well as with weakened connectivity in the cognitive-empathy brain network, suggesting that impaired cognitive processing during embarrassing situations can lead to social anxiety.
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Article #19-18081: "Brain and behavioral alterations in subjects with social anxiety dominated by empathic embarrassment," by Shisei Tei et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Shisei Tei, Kyoto University, JAPAN; tel: +81-3-6873-1971; e-mail: <chengctky@gmail.com>; Hidehiko Takahashi, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, JAPAN; tel: +81-3-5803-5238; e-mail: <hidepsyc@tmd.ac.jp>; Riitta Hari, Aalto University, Espoo, FINLAND; tel: +358-50-5937-525; e-mail: <riitta.hari@aalto.fi>
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences